Statement from President Biden Marking Five Years Since the Thousand Oaks Shooting

Five years ago today, twelve people lost their lives at a College Night in Thousand Oaks, California, in an act of senseless gun violence. In mere moments, a lone gunman armed with high-capacity magazines caused untold pain for survivors and family members whose lives will never be the same. 
 
No family or community should ever have to go through what the Thousand Oaks community did that night. Yet, in the years since—from Lewiston to Highland Park, Buffalo to Uvalde, Monterey Park to El Paso, and thousands of communities impacted by daily acts of gun violence that do not make national headlines—our country has been devastated by an epidemic of gun violence again and again. 
 
I am doing everything in my power as President to end the scourge of gun violence. Through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — the most meaningful gun safety legislation in nearly 30 years — through dozens of executive actions, through the creation of the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, I am taking every action that I can to save lives. I’ve also continued to call on Republicans in Congress to help pass commonsense gun safety policies – like banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and much more – that we know can save lives. 
 
Today, our hearts are with all the victims and survivors of the Thousand Oaks attack, and those who are grieving the loved ones they lost five years ago. May we honor their memories by turning our heartbreak into action and ending our nation’s gun violence epidemic once and for all.  

###